Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
Industrial Next says its AI robots can switch factory tasks in minutes
Industrial Next says its AI-powered robotic stations can be retooled in minutes, rather than weeks.
The San Francisco startup presented its technology at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.
Most factory robots are built and programmed for specific tasks, so changing a product or process can require reprogramming, physical changes or new equipment.
Industrial Next says its stations use AI models that connect what a robot sees with the task and its movements.
The company aims to automate complex, delicate work that often requires human labor.
BMW Group Technology Office will evaluate the technology for manufacturing, though no results or further timeline were given.
Industrial Next says its AI-driven robotic stations can let factories switch production tasks in minutes rather than weeks.
The San Francisco-based startup presented its technology at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.
The company announced a partnership with BMW Group Technology Office to evaluate its dexterous manipulation technology for manufacturing.
Industrial Next aims to help manufacturers automate complex and delicate tasks that traditionally require human labor.
The company was founded in 2021 by former Tesla employees Lukas Pankau and Allen Pan.
- Who
- Industrial Next, founded by Lukas Pankau and Allen Pan.
- What
- The startup says its AI-powered robotic stations can switch factory tasks in minutes. It announced an evaluation partnership with BMW Group Technology Office.
- When
- The announcement was made at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026; the article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- The presentation took place on the Startup Battlefield stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Industrial Next is based in San Francisco.
- Why
- The company aims to make factory automation more flexible and enable automation of complex and delicate tasks traditionally done by people.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lukas Pankau and Allen Pan founded Industrial Next.
Industrial Next presented at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 and announced a partnership with BMW Group Technology Office to evaluate its technology.
- Headquarters
- San Francisco
- Founders
- Lukas Pankau and Allen Pan
- Founded
- 2021
- Factory task change
- Minutes, according to Industrial Next
- Partner
- BMW Group Technology Office
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What people are saying
We had all these fancy things that we could do on cars. I could run machine learning algorithms to design a car for me. But I couldn’t figure out how to program a robot, and this was pretty common for engineers at Tesla
We’re like, we’re not getting any younger, and we’re still obviously passionate about it. We still keep complaining about industrial technology. Like, this is three years later, we should start the company.